If you are looking for a great beach read, a rom-com, or just a good laugh then I highly recommend Katherine Center’s book, The Bodyguard. Is it predictable? Yes, but who cares? Sometimes you just need something fun to read with characters that are endearing.

Hannah Brooks, who was raised by an alcoholic mother, learned at a young age to protect herself. She now makes her living as an Executive Protection Agent. At only 5′ 5″ inches tall, she is able to blend into the scenery as she protects the rich and famous. Based out of Houston, workaholic Hannah longs for overseas travel, especially getting the plumb assignment of opening the agency’s new London office. Unfortunately, her chief competitor for the job is her ex-boyfriend who said very rude things to her when he dumped her the day after her mother’s funeral.

Hannah is furious when her boss assigns her as the primary protection agent for the actor Jack Stapleton, who has been named “The Sexiest Man Alive” twice. Jack is back in Houston because of an illness in his family. To keep the family unaware that Jack has a bodyguard, Hannah must pretend to be his girlfriend. Things get more complicated from there as Hannah finds herself for the very first time getting emotionally connected to her client.

This story is full of both funny lines and honest raw emotions. I suspect this will be a Hollywood Movie. My choices: Anna Kendrick as Hannah Brooks, Liam Hemsworth as Jack Stapleton, and Chris Hemsworth as Hank Stapleton, Jack’s older brother. (Okay, not much imagination on the Hemsworth Brothers, but a girl can dream). Seriously, in my second life, I want to be a casting agent.

4-plus stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the awesome #St. Martin’s Press for my advanced reader copy. This book was published on July 19, 2022. I will definitely check out more Katherine Center novels!!